Mike O'Driscoll

About Mike O'Driscoll

Mike has over 30 years experience in the international mining and minerals industry, specialising in industrial minerals and markets, for which he is widely recognised as a leading expert. After serving 26 years at Industrial Minerals (IM) magazine – 17 years as Editor – Mike left IM in 2014 to pursue an independent career in the industrial minerals business, and launched IMFORMED in January 2015 with Ismene Clarke. Read more >

IMFORMED wishes all a most healthy & peaceful 2021! Latest Forum Updates

For this past year, of all years, IMFORMED would like to thank its delegates, sponsors, partners, contacts, and families for all their kind support and participation for a most challenging last 12 months. The number seven is hailed as being lucky, harmonious, and of perfection. As IMFORMED heads into its seventh year of business, we [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Wednesday, 30 December, 2020|Newsfile|Comments Off on IMFORMED wishes all a most healthy & peaceful 2021! Latest Forum Updates

Refractory minerals from China: shutdowns & shipping spark price surge

Bauxite, BFA, Andalusite, Magnesite impact | Supply reforms in pipeline As if 2020 had not dished out enough disruption for one year, suppliers and consumers of Chinese refractory minerals are facing more issues impacting the supply chain in the form of operational closures and a shortage of shipping containers. Title Picture A mountain to climb: China's centre [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Thursday, 17 December, 2020|Newsfile|1 Comment

Mineral Recycling Forum 2021 ONLINE – Programme & Details

12.00-17.00 GMT Tuesday 9 February 2021 EU Action | Mine Tailings | Refractories | Li-ion Batteries | Ceramics | Alumina | Graphite | Magnesia IMFORMED is delighted to announce Mineral Recycling Forum 2021 ONLINE, 12.00-17.00 GMT Tuesday 9 February 2021. This year’s pandemic has amplified the issues of overreliance on certain mineral sources and the [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Tuesday, 8 December, 2020|Newsfile|1 Comment

IMFORMED wins UK business award

IMFORMED is delighted to have been the recipient of the Southern Enterprise Award 2020 for Best Independent Specialist Industry Event Organiser. The SME (Small Medium Enterprise) Awards are organised by SME News and celebrate the success stories of one of the most important sectors in the UK economy. The Southern Enterprise Awards 2020 recognise and [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Thursday, 3 December, 2020|Newsfile|Comments Off on IMFORMED wins UK business award

Mineral trader transformation: Possehl Erzkontor on mission to fully integrate by 2024

Refractory mineral processor MMW Hamm acquired by Possehl Erzkontor World leading industrial mineral trading company Possehl Erzkontor GmbH & Co. KG is on a mission to transform itself through diversification and verticalisation into “an integrated end-to-end provider of raw material solutions” by 2024. Title picture Trading up: Dead burned magnesia being loaded in big bags for [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Wednesday, 18 November, 2020|Newsfile|1 Comment

Refractory Minerals Forum 2021 ONLINE – Let’s keep in contact & conversation!

IMFORMED is delighted to announce a new online Forum for the refractory raw materials industry. Refractory Minerals Forum 2021 ONLINE 16-17 March 2021 FULL DETAILS HERE PLEASE NOTE NEW DATES FOR China Refractory Minerals Forum 2021, Dalian, 25-27 October 2021  Field Trip to Haimag, Haicheng Thurs 28 October  The new conference will cover global trends [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Thursday, 12 November, 2020|Newsfile|Comments Off on Refractory Minerals Forum 2021 ONLINE – Let’s keep in contact & conversation!

Fluorspar market outlook: alternative sources ascendant | Li-ion battery potential

Fluorine Forum 2020 ONLINE Review IMFORMED’s inaugural virtual event Fluorine Forum 2020 ONLINE took place last month and was hailed a great success by attendees keen to keep abreast of trends and developments in supply and demand for fluorine raw materials. Key takeaways included: Significant commercial interest in FSA-route plants in operation by 2022 as [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Wednesday, 4 November, 2020|Newsfile|2 Comments

New era of mineral exploration, sourcing & development dawns

Panglobal action to kickstart domestic mineral projects driven by critical mineral demand It is regrettable that it takes a pandemic to spotlight what many have been warning about for some years: a shortage of commercially developed critical mineral resources and processing plants, and a risky overreliance on imports from limited overseas sources. But that's what's [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Monday, 26 October, 2020|Newsfile|2 Comments

The World of Industrial Minerals Under COVID-19

Challenges & Opportunities IMFORMED was honoured to be asked to present the Keynote presentation at the General Session of the recent Industrial Minerals Association-North America Virtual Annual Meeting. Industrial Minerals Association-North America (IMA-NA) is the representative voice of the industrial minerals sector in North America, bringing together the industry’s leaders to promote best practices, organising [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Wednesday, 7 October, 2020|Newsfile|Comments Off on The World of Industrial Minerals Under COVID-19

Fluorspar market trends & outlook

Fluorine Forum 2020 ONLINE Programme Confirmed IMFORMED is delighted to announce the programme for Fluorine Forum 2020 ONLINE, 12.00-16.30 BST Tuesday 13 October (details here) While our original planned event in Hanoi has been postponed to 18-21 October 2021 (see Fluorine Forum 2021) we are pleased to offer delegates an online alternative with which to assess [...]

By |2024-03-22T05:52:16+00:00Monday, 21 September, 2020|Newsfile|Comments Off on Fluorspar market trends & outlook